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Publisher's Summary

It's the year 2044, and the real world has become an ugly place. We're out of oil. We've wrecked the climate. Famine, poverty, and disease are widespread. Like most of humanity, Wade Watts escapes this depressing reality by spending his waking hours jacked into the OASIS, a sprawling virtual utopia where you can be anything you want to be, where you can live and play and fall in love on any of ten thousand planets. And, like most of humanity, Wade is obsessed by the ultimate lottery ticket that lies concealed within this alternate reality: OASIS founder James Halliday, who died with no heir, has promised that control of the OASIS - and his massive fortune - will go to the person who can solve the riddles he has left scattered throughout his creation.

For years, millions have struggled fruitlessly to attain this prize, knowing only that the riddles are based in the culture of the late 20th century. And then Wade stumbles onto the key to the first puzzle. Suddenly he finds himself pitted against thousands of competitors in a desperate race to claim the ultimate prize, a chase that soon takes on terrifying real-world dimensions - and that will leave both Wade and his world profoundly changed.

Narrator Wil Wheaton is an American actor and writer best known for his role as Wesley Crusher in the TV series Star Trek: The Next Generation, and for playing Gordie Lachance in the film Stand By Me. More recently, he has appeared in several episodes of the TV series The Big Bang Theory as himself.

This was an incredible book, with both the writing and performance being top-class. I have never read a book much like this, yet I was deeply thrown into the story and really felt for the characters and the world around them.

I would recommend this book to those of you have ever had any interest in computing, retro gaming and retro film. It really is a 80s pop-culture book with an incredible setting and back story.

To be honest, I was upset when the book ended. The only question that came to my mind was: Where is the sequel?!

Hopefully one might be made soon... I know Ernest Cline hasn't ruled it out yet!

Yeh I'd give them a shot but I wouldn't expect depth from Cline. Wheaton was a great narrator - he was perfect for the job.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

The VR world was cool and the idea of being able to explore so many worlds. The least interesting parts where the info dumps. So many info dumps!

What about Wil Wheaton’s performance did you like?

He was really enthusiastic and got into the story a lot. Very good performance.

Do you think Ready Player One needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

It would be good if it examined itself a bit more so if that were to happen I'd give a sequel a shot.

Any additional comments?

Definitely not self aware enough. I find it hard to believe that a few decades on from now we'd be so utterly obsessed with the 80s that we'd build and ENTIRE UNIVERSE dedicated to it. I get it that this book was meant to be a fun romp back into the 80s but it neglected the future aspect of the story a lot. The implications of a society SO stuck in the past - what about the present? What about all those NEW games, books, movies, music vidoes and TV shows? -- side note - the author likes LISTS a LOT - it got mega irritating him saying "games, books, movies, music vidoes and TV shows" about a hundred times as if he was trying to meet a word count. Give it a rest already!

*cough* Anywho...it felt like...this book used all the high tech stuff as just an excuse to go back to the 80s and have a giant nerd-gasm about 8bit arcade games 'faded Space Invaders tees'. While it was a fun adventure with some pretty good characters, I felt it ultimately too shallow for my tastes.

The plot bringing together today's technology mixed together with cult classics fromp the past. This book is a electric journey that keeps you on edge for the whole book. Can't wait for the movie to come out.

There is not much to be said except that I absolutely loved this audiobook! Even more of an indication of what an engaging book it is - my partner (who has read about 3 fiction books in his whole life and considers fiction to be something of a waste of time) also loved it. It's just great fun, and I was much too young in the 80s to know even half of the gaming references. Couldn't wait to get back in the car each day.

Honest, committed and pitched right. Except for Og's voice - which was just wrong. But that was such a small part of the book it doesn't matter. Also it was too slow, but on 1.25x speed on the Audible app it was fine.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Something terrible. Because a movie will water this book down and leave it a tepid, lame version of the original.

What made the experience of listening to Ready Player One the most enjoyable?

First and foremost, Wil Wheaton is a first-class narrator - he has absolutely the most perfect voice for audiobooks (not too bassy, not too nasally) and doesn't do too badly with accents either (unlike some other narrators which have caused me to return books!). Secondly, the world of Ready Player One is - as noted in the novel - everything any reader or gamer has ever dreamed of: essentially a 'holodeck' experience. It is the book's exploration of the pros and cons of this system that draws you in - in Star Trek we see people using the holodecks for recreation, essentially living out episodes in an ongoing drama; but as Ready Player One points out....why would you ever leave?

What other book might you compare Ready Player One to, and why?

I have desperately been searching for something else as engaging and exciting as RPO since I finished reading! My recommendations would probably be to read other books which effectively create alternative worlds - perhaps 'The Knife of Never Letting Go' by Patrick Ness, 'Peter and Max' by Bill Willingham and 'Divergent' by Veronica Roth.

What does Wil Wheaton bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

As I mention above, Wil is an excellent reader. He has an obvious love for the subject matter and, having been an actor on Star Trek 'The Next Generation' and a teenager in the late 80s and early 90s, has a strong familiarity with many of the pop culture references. Wheaton sounds like he is having an absolute ball with this reading!

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

'What would you sacrifice to win the ultimate prize?'

Any additional comments?

Read (.....listen to). This. Book.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Dr. P. D. Rudman

Leicester, UK

6/26/14

Overall

Performance

Story

"Badly written but interesting"

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

It reads like an audio description of a B-movie. Characters are a bit stereotyped / 2D, story rather linear and too often predictable, too much description of what the protagonist did (I did this, and then I did this, and then I did that...).

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

No

Any additional comments?

It would be great for anyone obsessed with 80's computer games and geek culture. Otherwise, it's fairly interesting and fun, but really, there's better.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

steven

Stoke on Trent, United Kingdom

5/11/12

Overall

"80's Teenager!"

If you were born around 1960-1975 you will love the nostalgia in this book. A light SciFi romp, easy listening, but with lots to recomend it. Cline researched the history of video games and infact PS's like a true Geek! but managed to carry the storyline along without loosing my interest. Even a reminder of the great Rush LP 2012. Lighten up for a while, give it a go, you'll be glad you did :)

7 of 8 people found this review helpful

Beccameriel

London, United Kingdom

12/18/12

Overall

"Great fun for geeks and children of the 80s"

Wil Wheaton is the perfect narrator for this fun adventure story. I'm not a gamer but enjoyed the cultural references immensely particularly the music. I found the characters believeable and endearing and was even a little moved by a revelation about one of them towards the end. I can really see this as a film and have been mentally casting ever since.

It's a light read but I was completely gripped to the extent of going for long walks so that I could justify binge listening!

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Sam B

1/4/15

Overall

Performance

Story

"If you don't read and like gaming its for you."

What disappointed you about Ready Player One?

No substance to the story and it had so much potential. You 100% need to be a gamer to enjoy this book.

What could Ernest Cline have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

He needs to work on his dialogue because to put it bluntly it was awful. The characters are generic and uninteresting especially the love interest. His world building is excellent no need for improvement there. The book has such great frame work for comments about society individualism and peoples need for fulfilment and approval but it does nothing with it.

Have you listened to any of Wil Wheaton’s other performances? How does this one compare?

I haven't heard any other Wil Wheaton performances but I thought he did a pretty good job with this. He seems genuinely enthusiastic and clearly put a lot of effort in.

You didn’t love this book--but did it have any redeeming qualities?

Wil Wheaton's Performance.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Mark

United Kingdom

4/9/14

Overall

Performance

Story

"Ready Reader One"

This is something of a gamer geek novel - so I preface all my views with the caveat that like Neal Stevenson's REAMDE it may appeal to those, like me, of a certain sub-culture. The story-line itself is not so remarkable, civilization in deep decline in the next few decades yada yada. What makes this story interesting is the alternative that the majority of the population turn to in order to escape and a challenge that arises therein. It is fast paced story that never seemed to drag. It has a great 1980's sub-plot if you have fond memories of early games, TV, books, film and computers. I found the characters and their gamer-style issues with RL (real-life) accurate and engaging. I found myself looking forward to the drive to work in the mornings (when I get to listen to my audiobooks) which doesn't often happen to me!The narration by Wil Wheaton (of ST:TNG fame and avid gamer) is excellent, a really good choice and nice kind of twist as you will find out if you choose to listen. All in all I consider this one of my best ever spontaneous buys on Audible after being a member for many years - highly recommended.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

john

Uxbridge, United Kingdom

11/9/13

Overall

Performance

Story

"A Sci-Fi Classic"

I picked this up with no expectations at all and was blown away. It is one of those books that you just can't tear yourself away from and you are a little sad when its over. Most of the reviews state that this will appeal to nerds, computer gamers and children of the eighties (and I admit that I'm all three) but I think you'd have to have a pretty hard heart not to love this book no matter who you were.

Wil Wheaton was a great choice for narrator and he does a fantastic job.

2 of 3 people found this review helpful

Mr

3/1/15

Overall

Performance

Story

"Fantastic book"

Great storyGreat narration Keeps you entertained right to the endSimply FantasticRight up there in my top ten

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Mrs S.

3/1/15

Overall

Performance

Story

"Addictive"

What made the experience of listening to Ready Player One the most enjoyable?

Wil Wheaton really brought the story to life and built up the suspense just where it should be.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Ready Player One?

The end. Gets a bit crazy but I'm not saying anymore than that!!

Which character – as performed by Wil Wheaton – was your favourite?

All, it was easy to distinguish between the characters but no silly voices were used.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Yes. Got a bit teary at the ending.

Any additional comments?

This will be a book that you will demolish in a week (if that), you won't be able to sop listening to it.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

peter

2/26/15

Overall

Performance

Story

"Action Packed Nerdtaskicular Story"

Loved every second of this book and voice actor was brilliant. A must listen for gamers and sci-fi lovers. 5/5

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